Reducing net migration is a priority

‘These statistics show why we must tighten our immigration system in order to reduce net migration to manageable levels.

‘While it is important that we attract the brightest and the best to ensure strong economic growth, uncontrolled migration places unacceptable pressure on public services.

‘The government is committed to reducing the level of net migration over the course of this Parliament to the levels of the 1990s – tens of thousands each year, not hundreds of thousands.

‘We have already placed a temporary limit on non-EU nationals coming to the UK to work and are looking at how we can tighten up the Student Tier of the Points Based System to ensure that every student who comes to the UK is genuine.’